Foods That Shouldn’t Go in the Fridge

Knowing how to properly store your food items is just as important as purchasing them. After all, money doesn’t grow on trees and do you really want to be constantly throwing out food that could have lasted much longer otherwise? Of course not. The scary thing is that the majority of you are probably doing just that. You open your fridge to find your freshly purchased produce completely rotten, or at the very least, inedible. You may not have thought about it previously, but that item might not be suitable for refrigerator storage. Here are the most common food items that are put in the fridge when they shouldn’t be.

Onions

Onions are almost always tossed into the crisper drawer in the fridge, but unpeeled onions should actually be stores in cool, dry, well ventilated places because they require frequent air exposure to ensure that they stay fresh and taste their absolute best. If you have already peeled your onion, then yes, it does go in the refrigerator – in a covered container.

Pumpkin

If you’ve ever tried to store your Halloween pumpkins in the fridge, you probably already know that it simply isn’t the place for them due to their size and many more. Pumpkins actually need a well ventilated area to ensure the longest shelf life. Basements are the most ideal places as they are dry, dark and cool.

Melons

Melons, such as watermelons, grapefruits and cantaloupe should not be stored in the fridge either because they actually lose some of their antioxidant components when stored in this way. Instead, leave your whole melons on the counter at room temperature to ensure that they don’t degrade their healthy qualities. Once sliced, they can be covered and placed in the fridge.

Garlic

One of the most common culprits of not being stored properly is the garlic bulbs. If you put them in the fridge, they can actually begin to sprout which sounds interesting but isn’t ideal. Always keep them in a dry, dark place to ensure longevity.

Honey

Honey can actually be stored in your cabinets, despite popular belief. It must be in a tightly closed container and placed in a dry place and at room temperature. This is importance because honey’s acidic pH level and natural sugar content will actually keep the honey from spoiling. Putting it in the fridge can also make it crystallize which makes it difficult to spread or use. As a bonus, you can store it for an infinite amount of time.

Whole Tomatoes

Tomatoes are almost always thrown in the fridge but the cold air can actually turn the skin into mush and it will actually deplete this item of its true, amazing taste.

Apricots, Kiwi, Bananas, Plums, Peaches and Mangos

It may be difficult to keep produce out on the countertop, due to lack of space or an invasion of fruit flies, but apricots, kiwi, bananas, plums, peaches and mangos should be left out in a dry, room temperature area if plausible because they will retain their nutrients much more efficiently.
Other than that, store other items in the fridge without a worry.